“It was hard breaking in,” Smith recalled. “I was not a part of the Atlanta click, so I worked the smaller shows across Georgia for Billy Boy Hines, who was booking for Fred Ward. I started off doing whatever I could to make money – ring crew, refereeing. I’d get $10.00 for the ring, $15.00 for the refereeing. No telling how many $10.00 rings I put up.”

Eventually his reputation earned him more money as a referee, and the respect of his peers. “When I got my first $50.00 payoff, I thought it was somebody else’s check,” said Smith with a laugh. “When Vince McMahon came to the south with the WWF, he used me on the shows. He paid me better than anybody.”

Some of his work was definitely taxing on the body. A good referee is often just as active as the participants in the matches he officiates. As Smith recalls, “Dick Steinborn and The Assassin (Jody Hamilton) wrestled each other for 2 1/2 hours in Augusta, GA, then they took that match around to different towns and did the same thing every night.”

When looking back on his career, Smith is proud of what he accomplished. “I never made a lot of money, but I did fine,” he said. “I enjoy talking to the younger wrestlers who remember my work. They really appreciate what I did, and that means a lot.”